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We are often bombarded with articles touting the benefits of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. However, it often seems as if Instagram has faded into the annals of digital history. The truth of the matter is that this medium is still one of the best portals out there to help get your message across to your followers. Let's look at five reasons why you NEED to include Instagram as a part of your PR campaign.

Engagement

This is one of the “golden” words in terms of digital media marketing. One thing that the analysts do not often mention is that even branded posts on Twitter and Facebook often get overlooked by followers. The same cannot be said for Instagram. A study by Forrester found that Instagram posts are 58 times more popular than Facebook and even more so when compared to Twitter (1). Engagement equals conversions.

Connections and Trust

Instagram has always been a way to personally connect with your audience. However, sharing daily experiences tends to be much quicker and easier when compared to other social media circles. Clients who see the rather informal side of a business are more likely to believe whatever it is that your campaigns are promoting.

Getting in on the Ground Floor

What is amazing to consider is that a study conducted by American Express found that a mere 2% of all marketers are currently using Instagram as part of their ongoing marketing campaigns (2). So, why not get in on the ground floor before the masses jump on the bandwagon? As the competition on Facebook and Twitter tends to be much more established, Instagram can prove to be a valuable edge.

Your Market?

It has been shown that the so-called “millennial” generation represents (and will continue to represent) a powerful buying demographic. Coincidentally, more than one-third of this age group currently uses Instagram on a daily basis (3). So, it pays to be a winner with the millennials. We should still not fail to mention that other generations can just as easily be targeted. Generation X and Y have been successfully attracted by larger campaigns such as those produced by General Electric and Ford.

No Capital Outlay

Much like other platforms, Instagram is completely free to use. Signing up takes only a matter of moments and uploading content is just as simple. Any marketer always needs to be concerned in terms of ROI and even if only one conversion takes place (which is hardly the case), the portal would have more than paid for itself.

The Youthful Perception

A growing percentage of young buyers are claiming that they feel out of touch with the majority of marketing campaigns. Once a potential client is lost, it is not likely that he or she will return in the future. Using Instagram as a part of your overall strategy will enable your company to appeal young and vibrant. Perhaps more importantly, it shows your audience that you care about how you are perceived. Such views can go a long way as far as securing a sale and let's not forget that much like other portals, Instagram posts can be shared via word of mouth with other interested followers. This is another form of free advertising!

Instagram is truly one of the hidden gems within this virtual world. As it still appears to be a relatively untapped medium, there is simply no reason why it should not be included within any current or future PR campaign.

The Emerging Importance of Videos Within Marketing Campaigns

What are some of the most memorable marketing campaigns that you have ever seen? Does static text or a clever email come to mind, or do you instead recall a snappy video? The chances are high that videos rank at the top of the list. These entertaining mediums are highly effective at capturing the attention of the audience while they are able to be much more creative in terms of the content delivered. What are some of the other reasons why videos are now set to take center stage during 2016 and beyond?

First-Come, First-Buy?

Landing pages now need to be more engaging than ever before. One great way to accomplish this is through the use of a video. Whether referring to testimonials, product overviews or how-to media, marketing analyst Unbounce reports that conversion rates can increase by as much as 80% when videos are some of the first interactive experiences (1).

Entertainment Value

Videos have the ability to capture (and hold) the attention of the viewer for longer periods of time when compared to traditional textual content. This is very important, for the addition of a video can help decrease bounce rates. The longer that an individual remains on a page, the more likely it his that he or she will take an interest in what is being offered.

Mobile Phones and Their Relation to Videos

It is estimated that 48% of all mobile users employ apps to watch videos (2). However, this is not the primary reason why videos are critical to address this audience. Have you ever tried to read an advertisement on a screen that is only a few inches wide? This can be nearly impossible; especially if the content or graphics are intricate. Videos can do away with this situation. They can be quickly and easily viewed. Even if the screen itself is not watched, the fact of the matter is that the audio contained within is able to convey the ultimate purpose of the business and product in question. Those who are on the go or browse the Internet coming and going from work will particularly take advantage of these qualities. Add in one click sign-up and the odds of getting the prospects info is greatly increased!

Getting on the Bandwagon

Video advertisements are growing in their number as well as their popularity. To back up this observation, ComScore has shown that the average Internet user now spends no less than 16 minutes every month watching these marketing campaigns (3). This number has dramatically increased when compared to only a few years ago. Businesses which are able to leverage this medium now can place themselves ahead of the competitive curve. In fact, video marketing could very well be just as impactful of a trend that social media campaigns represented five years ago.

Better Viewer Recall

This last observation has just as much to do with human psychology as it involves digital marketing. Videos use a number of different mediums to get their point across. Music, graphics and the spoken word are obviously the top three. Each serves to reinforce the other. Videos are therefore much more memorable than the average PR campaign within a static website. Higher retention rates equate to better chances that the consumer will recognise a brand and take action in the future. These are five of the main reasons why video advertising is without a doubt here to stay. Taking into account that such widgets are very easy to embed within a website, it makes a great deal of sense that marketers will be using them to their advantage throughout 2016.